About — Dr Anna

Dr. Anna Colton BSc., D.Clin.Psy., C.Hyp.

“A quirky mix of clinical psychologist, mindset master and fervent cheerleader” - Susan, UK

As a clinical psychologist, trained actress and TV presenter, from a legal family, I have a unique perspective when it comes to working with people who are under immense pressure to perform at their best.

I know what it’s like when the stakes are high. I understand stage fright. Crippling anxiety. Burn out and breakdowns.

With the right tools and strategies, it is possible to master your mind, overcome the challenges and perform at your best.

Contact Me

Dr. Anna Colton BSc., D.Clin.Psy., C.Hyp.

“A quirky mix of clinical psychologist, mindset master and fervent cheerleader” - Susan, UK

As a clinical psychologist, trained actress and TV presenter, from a legal family, I have a unique perspective when it comes to working with people who are under immense pressure to perform at their best.

I know what it’s like when the stakes are high. I understand stage fright. Crippling anxiety. Burn out and breakdowns.

With the right tools and strategies, it is possible to master your mind, overcome the challenges and perform at your best.

Contact Me

"You are a miracle worker! Thank you.”
Barrister, private coaching client

Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about dancing in the rain.

I believe this to my core.

Life doesn't go as planned. Unpredictable things happen. Curveballs appear, things go awry and emotions run high.

These are the storms, and you can't avoid or control them. But, you can learn how to react and respond to them and to keep dancing through them, with grace and confidence.

Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about dancing in the rain.

I believe this to my core.

Life doesn't go as planned. Unpredictable things happen. Curveballs appear, things go awry and emotions run high.

These are the storms, and you can't avoid or control them. But, you can learn how to keep dancing through them, with all the confidence of a pro with a rapt audience.

Every great athlete has a coach.

Every great musician has a teacher.

Every great actor has a director.

You need someone to challenge and champion you, so you can understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviour, facilitate change, negotiate blocks and fulfil your full potential.

Contact Me

An unusual combination

I have always thought of myself as a fighter. And a performer.

I’ve spent much of my career combining my work as a clinical psychologist with my love of performing. It’s a quirky, exciting mix that keeps me on my toes.

I was a bit of a muso growing up, with Diplomas in piano, violin and academic music. I loved performing. When I married and had four children under 5, I managed to juggle my day job as an adolescent and eating disorder psychologist with am-dram musical theatre. Then I made a fairly radical career move and left the NHS to go to drama school.

It was the most intense, scary, extraordinary, demanding and exhilarating year of my life. I was completely out of my comfort zone, and I loved it.

In 2012, I started to bring these two seemingly disparate areas of my life together.

Drama school followed by a few years of acting has given me a unique insight into the industry. I became the child psychologist on West End stage shows including Billy Elliot and Matilda. I went on tour with them, getting kids with stage fright back on the stage and past the difficulties and fears that were hindering their performance.

This unusual combination of psychology and performance continued to develop as I built my private practice and a media career. I became a regular guest on radio and TV shows, including This Morning. I worked with the BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) and on a number of BBC campaigns around mental health.

I also saw another niche that was a natural fit for me.

I come from a legal family, and my husband is a barrister. Over the years, I’d watched as barristers had breakdowns with, apparently, “no warning” and I realised that, despite their best intentions, most people in the world of the Bar didn't know what to look for.

The signs were there and, as a clinical psychologist, I knew what I was seeing. I had a unique perspective and my own quirky mix of expertise and experience came together once again as I worked with Chambers to create mental health policies, train clerks and work 1:1 with barristers.

I’ve come to realise that I can make the most impact when I’m working with high-achieving individuals who, like me, are fighters.

Whether on stage, in a courtroom, boardroom or sporting arena, I help elite performers harness that fight to be the best they can be.

Contact Me

An unusual combination

I have always thought of myself as a fighter. And a performer.

I’ve spent much of my career combining my work as a clinical psychologist with my love of performing. It’s a quirky, exciting mix that keeps me on my toes.

I was a bit of a muso growing up, with Diplomas in piano, violin and academic music. I loved performing. When I married and had four children under 5, I managed to juggle my day job as an adolescent and eating disorder psychologist with am-dram musical theatre. Then I made a fairly radical career move and left the NHS to go to drama school.

It was the most intense, scary, extraordinary, demanding and exhilarating year of my life. I was completely out of my comfort zone, and I loved it.

In 2012, I started to bring these two seemingly disparate areas of my life together.

Drama school followed by a few years of acting has given me a unique insight into the industry. I became the child psychologist on West End stage shows including Billy Elliot and Matilda. I went on tour with them, getting kids with stage fright back on the stage and past the difficulties and fears that were hindering their performance.

This unusual combination of psychology and performance continued to develop as I built my private practice and a media career. I became a regular guest on radio and TV shows, including This Morning. I worked with the BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) and on a number of BBC campaigns around mental health.

I also saw another niche that was a natural fit for me.

I come from a legal family, and my husband is a barrister. Over the years, I’d watched as barristers had breakdowns with, apparently, “no warning” and I realised that, despite their best intentions, most people in the world of the Bar didn't know what to look for.

The signs were there and, as a clinical psychologist, I knew what I was seeing. I had a unique perspective and my own quirky mix of expertise and experience came together once again as I worked with Chambers to create mental health policies, train clerks and work 1:1 with barristers.

I’ve come to realise that I can make the most impact when I’m working with high-achieving individuals who, like me, are fighters.

Whether on stage, in a courtroom, boardroom or sporting arena, I help elite performers harness that fight to be the best they can be.